Advocacy Groups

There are many advocacy groups that accept foreign members or that are expat based. Some are unique to Korea, while others are international and/or involved in international causes.

AMNESTY G48 is the only one of the many Amnesty International Korea chapter that communicates in English. The group coordinates events to keep members active in human rights events, online actions, and other campaigns run through Amnesty International Korea and related human rights groups. They hold a regular meeting on the first Saturday of each month at the Seoul Women's Plaza from 4-6 to discuss, organize, and plan upcoming events. Info: amnestyseoul@gmail.com

HOUSE OF SHARING (Nanum Jip) is both a museum and home for former 'Comfort Women' - survivors of the Japanese Army's sexual slavery camps during World War II and the War with Japan. There are a number of ways in which you can join in or support the advocacy efforts on behalf of the 'halmoni'. The House of Sharing International Outreach Team organises and conducts English tours to House of Sharing (HoS)/Museum of Japanese Military Sexual Slavery (Nanum Jip-나눔의 집). The group also hosts fundraisers and documentary screenings about the House and its survivors and continues to research, in order to update the international community about events and news about the issue .For more details on how you can participate or support their efforts, visit the House of Sharing website. Address : 65 Wondang-ri, Toechon-myeon, Gwangju-si, Gyeonggi-do, 464-840. Tel: +82-(0)31-768-0064. Info: nanum365@gmail.com. See monthly tour announcements in What's Going On.

MOONBEARS.ORG is a Seoul based non-profit animal rights advocacy group, with branches in Hong Kong and Sydney. The group's primary purpose is to stop bear farming in Korea and to re-locate the bears into a safe sanctuary. Moonbears looks for volunteers (including foreign nationals) to take an active part in its activities as well as for supporters willing to sign its petition, donate funds, etc. For more information visit the website or write to g.moon@moonbears.org.OTHER ANIMAL RIGHTS GROUPS can be found on the Animal Protection Organisations Page on K4E.

WOMEN'S HUMAN RIGHTS KOREA helps connect volunteers to various women's organisations in Korea - teaching English, editing, etc. Volunteers should speak English and if possible a little Korean. Tagalog speakers are also needed. The group organises the Wild Women Performing Arts Festival, which is held twice a year, to raise funds for Korean Women's Associations United. For information, contact angelahime@hotmail.com or angela.firefly@gmail.com.

NORTH KOREA ISSUES:
1. JUSTICE FOR NORTH KOREA holds an awareness campaign in Insadong every Saturday from 3-5 p.m. (near Anguk Station, Stop 328, Exit 6) where they hold a small performance exhibition and distribute information about North Korea. In addition, the group also hosts and participates in screenings, demonstrations, panels, and helps raise funds for partner organizations that rescue North Korean refugees hiding in China. Info: rescuenorthkorea@gmail.com

2. HELPING HANDS KOREA hosts an informational meeting called "Catacombs" each week at the DL Gallery near Samgakji Station in Seoul on Tuesdays from 7-9 p.m. Participants can learn more about the humanitarian crisis in North Korea and how to get involved in supporting North Korean human rights. Directions: Near Exit #2 of Samgakji, Stop 428 or 628. When you reach the sidewalk level at Exit #2, walk a few steps forward, look and turn left, and walk through a short passageway from the sidewalk into a courtyard/parking lot. The DL Gallery will be on the right side of the open area and situated between a restaurant and a small coffee shop. (Altogether, only about 40 steps from the top of Exit#2 to the front door of the Catacombs venue.) Info: tapkorea@gmail.com

3. PSCORE "People for Successful Corean Reunification," provides complimentary tutors to North Korean defectors and also holds conferences to "promote awareness, friendships, and unity between North and South Koreans and foreigners in Seoul." Programs include 1:1 English, math and essay writing to help defector studetns to adjust to South Korean schools and Wednesday English class as well as monthly cultural activities. PSCORE works to spread awareness of the human rights situation in North Korea and to promote public discourse for reunification.